The Russians are beginning to turn on the power. For the second time in history, but the second in three seasons, a side from that vast, hitherto latent land of soccer won UEFA Cup.

Russian club Zenit wins UEFA - 15 / 05 / 2008 00:16

 Zenit St. Petersburg became the second Russia team in four seasons to win the UEFA Cup, beating Scotland's Glasgow Rangers 2-0 in the final Wednesday night

Igor Denisov scored in the 72nd minute after an exchange with Andrei Arshavin, cutting through the defense and beating goalkeeper Neil Alexander. Konstantin Zyryanov got the second goal in injury time, tapping the ball over the line off a pass from Fatih Tekke.

Denisov had escaped being penalized for a handball early in the second half, with Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt not making a call.

Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot also escaped punishment for an apparent handball late in the first half.

CSKA Moscow became the first Russian club to win a European title in 2005 when it captured the UEFA Cup, Europe's No. 2 club tournament behind the Champions League. This was the first European title for Zenit coach Dick Advocaat, who led Rangers from 1998-02. He leapt in the air at the final whistle.

Rangers have not won a European title since taking the defunct Cup Winners' Cup in 1972, when it defeated Dynamo Moscow.

The Scottish fans filled two-thirds of City of Manchester Stadium and more than 100,000 were in downtown Manchester watching on giant screens.

Fans invade the pitch during the UEFA Cup final at the City of Manchester Stadium.